Udupi: Pramod Madhwaraj should make his stand clear to the voters in the upcoming elections, Udupi MLA Raghupathy Bhat said on Thursday, March 28.
Addressing the reporters at a press meet at the BJP office in Kadiyali on Thursday, Bhat alleged that Pramod switched his allegiance from the Congress party to the JDS due to his selfishness as he wanted a ticket to contest in the elections. Even the loyal Congressmen are disappointed with Pramod for contesting on the JDS ticket, he added.
“The Congress party has given him several opportunities after he became MLA the first time. He was made cabinet secretary, district in-charge minister and most importantly, a cabinet minister. But now, due to his desire for power, he has changed his loyalties and taken on the JDS’ symbol for the Lok Sabha elections. This has made several loyalists of the Congress, angry with Pramod. It is not possible to contest from dual parties. The JDS has no base here, they don’t even have taluk or Zilla Panchayat members. The only reason they were able to get the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency in the seat sharing agreement is because of Pramod’s desire for power,” the MLA alleged.
He also accused Pramod of lying when he said he brought Rs. 2500 crore for the development of the constituency. “The people knew that he was lying and punished him in the Assembly elections last year,” he said.
He also blamed Pramod for the sand crisis in the district. “A large number of people are suffering due to the sand crisis. There is no problem in our neighbouring districts. So, why is the problem there in our district?” he asked and added that he will provide proof that Pramod pressured the district administration into ban sand mining.
To a query, Bhat denied the BJP’s role in the T J Abraham Vs Pramod Madhwaraj case. “This is Pramod’s personal matter. We do not need to discuss or take advantage of this case. We never invited T J Abraham to the canvas against Pramod. We are going to win with a huge margin in the Lok Sabha election,” he added.
